Trojans work on their issues during bye week

USC spent three practice days attempting to put its collapse against Boston College behind it.

With an open date Saturday, measuring improvement won’t be possible until USC resumes its schedule Sept. 27 against Oregon State.

But Coach Steve Sarkisian said the Trojans addressed “quite a bit of our own issues” during the week.

“The guys that needed to get healthy were able to do that,” Sarkisian said after Thursday’s practice. “Guys that needed to fix some things on the field in their own game were able to do that and we were able to develop some young players.”

Freshman quarterback Jalen Greene took advantage of extended opportunities. The left-handed passer demonstrated command of the offense, made consistently accurate throws and also showed his running ability.

During a scrimmage period Thursday, Greene nimbly scrambled as delighted teammates yelled, “Michael Vick is back!”

Greene is on track to redshirt, but he has made big strides since arriving at USC in January.

“I definitely feel like I’ve progressed,” he said this week. “The coaches have been teaching me a lot.”

Greene, receivers Ajene Harris and Steven Mitchell, offensive lineman Jordan Simmons, linebacker Uchenna Nwosu and cornerbacks Adoree’ Jackson and Rashead Johnson were among the younger players who stood out, Sarkisian said.

Watchful eye

The Trojans will be off Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

“I told them to enjoy football this weekend — watch some college football, watch some NFL on Sunday and come refreshed and ready to go Monday morning,” Sarkisian said.

Sarkisian said he was “not naïve” to the atmosphere on a college campus on a Thursday night but was hopeful players — “I’ve got 113 sons” — would make wise decisions during their time off.

“I’m going to have my phone on all weekend,” he said. “My goal is not to have that thing ring.”

Ed O says no

Ed Orgeron, who served as USC’s interim coach after Lane Kiffin was fired last season, reportedly turned down an opportunity to become interim coach at Nicholls State.

Rob Bernardi, athletic director at Nicholls State, reportedly received a resignation letter from Coach Charlie Stubbs on Sunday. Bernardi told CoachingSearch.com that he reached out to Orgeron, a Louisiana native who coached linebackers at the school in 1994.

“He respectfully declined because he made a commitment to his wife that he would stay out the entire year and he wanted to honor that commitment,” Bernardi told the website.

Quick hits

Defensive lineman Greg Townsend, who did not play at Stanford and Boston College because of chicken pox, returned and is expected to practice next week, Sarkisian said…. Tailback Tre Madden (toe) did not practice this week and his availability for the Oregon State game will not be determined until next week.

Twitter: @latimesklein